Introduction to Meal Planning Monday
May 11, 2009 by Debbie Taylor
I thought I would introduce a theme for Mondays here to cover the subject of Meal Planning, and share my personal family menu plans and ideas, with some recipes along the way. I’ll be looking to connect us with another Meal Planning meme so we can benefit from the experience & advice of others, too!
Starting next Monday, I will post my family’s meal plans for the week and some of the recipes I rely on. Today, I’ll share my philosophy of Meal Planning and what I’ve learned as I’ve incorporated Meal Planning at home.
When I was a full-time working mom, commuting and spending at least 10 
hours away from my family every day – and sometimes more – menu planning was far from my mind. My favorite dinner was anything I could grab on my way home and serve on paper plates.
While that was more convenient, it was very expensive (even though we could afford it then). We spent as much – if not more – money eating at restaurants 4-5 nights a week than two weeks worth of groceries that would provide numerous meals for our family.
When I became a full-time Stay-at-Home-Mom, meal planning was not something that came to me naturally. As a matter of fact we maintained our take-out and ordering-in for awhile. I was a bit intimidated by the full responsibility of taking care of our house, home, and our two girls. As much as I looked forward to it for the years I worked after becoming a mom.
Meal planning takes practice.
But it doesn’t have to be difficult, and it has so many benefits, including:
- Cost Savings. Knowing what you’re going to make for dinner tonight can prevent the impromptu (and repeated) ordering of pizza or chinese food. Maybe you can afford to order dinner several times a week like we did at one time, but in today’s economy, it’s one of those “luxiries” people are learning to do without.
- Peace of Mind. No worrying about what to make on the drive home, or while kids are getting home from school needing your attention. Frozen meat has time to thaw and time consuming tasks can be managed within your already busy schedule. No last minute rush – especially when plans get changed – and they often do.
- Efficiency & Organization. This is where meal planning has paid off for me the most. The other two are bonuses! Because I take time to plan meals, ingredients don’t get lost in my pantry or fridge, we have MUCH less food waste, and I feel like the kitchen really IS my domain.
What’s Your Style?
After lots of practice, trying different methods and formats, I came to the realization that there is no One-Size-Fits-All to planning meals. Buying groceries, couponing, cooking styles – all of it is very personal to each mom, family, and home. What works for me may not be a perfect fit for you.
But it might be the inspiration you need to FIND the perfect fit!
Having an idea of what your family likes is one of your best tools. If you KNOW they won’t eat spinach, there’s no need to incorporate it into meals on a regular basis. HOWEVER, Meal Planning also lends itself to incorporating that recipe you’ve been dying to try to see if your family even notices it has spinach.
And Meal Planning is not even about cooking every single meal from scratch! If you cook from a box – Meal Planning can be just as useful to you as the mom who cooks from scratch meals using whole foods and organic ingredients.
For families like mine – who tend to eat “on-the-fly” or according to our moods – meal planning can be so very flexible and friendly.
Meal Planning does NOT have to fit within a specified box. It just needs to work for you.
And it can!
So join me next Monday as I share my first Meal Plan for a week and some of our family favorite recipes!
Photo credits: 
photo credit: smi23le
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